US Delegation to probe opposition’s allegations of discrimination in Guyana; to share findings with govt.

A 14-member delegation, including US legislators and civil rights activists, is set to visit Guyana to investigate claims by the political opposition of racial discrimination and human rights violations.

The mission will be led by Dee Dawkins-Haigler and John King III.

Guyana Standard understands that Dee Dawkins-Haigler is an American politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. Dawnkin-Haigler, a Democrat, was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives representing the state’s 91st district from 2008 until 2017.

With respect to John King, he is a former Chair of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus. He is a member of the Democratic party and also serves as 2nd Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

According to a press statement from the **C**aribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy, this mission is by no means an official US Government endeavour, but is expected to conduct a fact-finding exercise and present its findings to multiple stakeholders, including the Guyanese Government, the Biden Administration, the US Congress, and the Congressional Black Caucus.

The move follows concerns raised during the ‘Washington Conference on Guyana’ by Guyanese opposition parliamentarians and delegates in a meeting with members of the United States Congressional Black Caucus.

In August 2021, a similar delegation journeyed to Guyana for the Socio-Economic Emancipation 2021 event, meeting figures such as President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and former US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch. That visit aimed to support the President’s vision of “One Guyana”, hoping for cooperative efforts for the nation’s benefit.

However, subsequent allegations by opposition Members of Parliament – notably Roysdale Forde S.C., David Patterson, Dawn Hastings-Williams, and Catherine Hughes – have prompted concerns. These claims, coupled with a public letter by Roysdale Forde S.C., M.P on their being blatant acts of discrimination as published in the Kaieteur News, and the call for a formal fact-finding mission, have catalysed the upcoming trip.

The delegation, comprising state legislators, entrepreneurs, and civil rights advocates, will focus on validating the assertions of discrimination and possible intimidation tactics.